After the initial maturation, the Talisker Distillers Editions are given a finishing period in Amoroso casks (Diageo doesn’t mention the word ‘sherry’ so they may come from elsewhere in Spain). The last one we tried was the Distillers Edition 2001/2012 – here’s the new one bottled in 2015.
Talisker 2005 ‘Distillers Edition’ (45,8%, OB 2015, Amoroso finish, TD-S: 5RD)
Nose: brine and other maritime notes up front, with touches of sour pickles. Apple juice, red berries, raisins and orange zest. Mild peat smoke but not as clear as in other Talisker expressions. Not as warm either. Whiffs of menthol and heather.
Mouth: here’s the sweetness, alongside oily notes. Toffee and caramelized nuts, with cocoa and vanilla. Big peppery notes as well, spicy oak and heather. Evolves on warm, roasted malt, mild smoke and chocolate notes. Mentholated notes again.
Finish: long, spicy and ashy, with hints of salty liquorice.
I like it, Talisker takes sherry finishing well. On the other hand I don’t feel the washed out smoky side, the fierce spiciness on the palate and the winey sweetness are entirely integrated. Around € 60.
Score: 86/100